Winners:

Emma Foster

Runners up

Student Community Awards 2014

This year there were joint winners of these awards; an individual student who has been volunteering with a charity and a group of seven art students who worked together on a project at Royal Berkshire Hospital.

Faith Orchard began volunteering when she was an undergraduate studying Psychology. She has been supporting a young person with additional needs at the Me2 Club for over four years. Faith is now studying for a PhD and her commitment continues with that same young person, helping her to attend Guides every week since she was 12 Years old, something she would have been unable to do without Faith's support.

A group of seven final year Art students also received the winner's award. They worked for several months on a project to upgrade the Royal Berkshire Hospital Audiology waiting room by creating a visually attractive waiting area, named the Garden of Eardom, with bright, eye-catching murals. They also raised additional funds to include a 'flower' lighting installation and special 'grass' vinyl flooring. The project presented many challenges to the students, logistically and practically, but they showed great persistence and ingenuity in making the waiting area a place that young children and their parents enjoy visiting.

These students were joined by others, who had been nominated for their efforts to support many charities and individuals, at an awards ceremony hosted by the Vice-Chancellor, Sir David Bell.

Sir David congratulated the students and thanked those who nominated them: "I'm very impressed by the amount of time you devote to these activities and your selfless dedication and commitment. In addition to your studies, you are helping others in the community and gaining valuable experience which will stand you in good stead when you graduate and begin working life".

Student Community Awards 2013

Two winners were crowned this year - Elicia Westley and Adam White, pictured here with the University's Vice-Chancellor Sir David Bell.

Second year speech and language therapy student, Elicia, volunteered at Reading based charity Me2 Club which helps children and young people with additional needs to take part in activities and socialise with other children. She has worked with a 12 year old boy who has autism for the past two years and has helped to transform his confidence and social skills.

Adam, a third year history student, has been volunteering with the Boys' Brigade for three years, helping at weekly meetings and activities for 6-18 year olds. He was described as "an excellent role model for the boys and always has time to talk to and help them, displaying great patience and care."

Student Community Awards 2012

In 2012 a record 25 outstanding students were nominated by members of the local community, and as a result the SCA Committee decided that the nominations fell into three broad areas. A winner was chosen in each category (pictured here with Sir David Bell):

Providing help to individuals Janine Holmes (left), a final year Psychology student, volunteered at local charity Me2 Club based in Woodley which helps children and young people with additional needs to lead as normal life as possible. She has worked with an 11 year old girl with autism called Polly with whom she quickly built a strong relationship providing weekly support and helping her integrate into a mainstream Guides group.

Providing help to a local organisation Third year PhD student Nicola Abram (second left), based in the Department of English Language and Literature, was nominated by Lorraine Joslin the manger for The Rahab Project which offers support, befriending and advocacy for anyone who has been exploited in the sex industry. Nicola started volunteering as part of the night outreach team contacting and supporting sex workers, and her reliability, enthusiasm and care for the clients meant that she was made team leader in August 2011.

Volunteering in a variety of settings Art student Laura Truesdale (right) has been working tirelessly within both the student and local communities, including setting-up and running art workshops for Reading's Drug and Alcohol Information Services and the Elizabeth Fry Bail and Probation Hostel, and running self-help groups for students with eating disorders.

Student Community Awards 2011

Neil Cummins, Jessica Scott and Stacey Telford were awarded first prize for their volunteer work at the Ridgeline Trust's Therapeutic Garden in Whiteknights Road, Reading, which benefits mentally and physically disabled members of the community.

There were also certificates awarded to nine other students (some of whom are pictured above with Pro-Vice-Chancellor for International and External Engagement Professor Steve Mithen) who were commended for their voluntary efforts including co-ordinating the Giving Tree Appeal, helping run a church youth group and developing Duke of Edinburgh Award opportunities.

Student Community Awards 2010

Students Siobhan Burke and Susanne Durrant were joint winners of the Award in 2010. Siobhan single-handedly co-ordinated the University's Students' Union entry into the Reading Half Marathon which raised over £5000 for local charities, and Susanne took on the huge task of distributing over 3,000 Christmas gifts to underprivileged children, donated by local business and members of the public.

Student Community Awards 2009

Student Laura Cobb won the Award in 2009 for her generous and innovative project, which saw 30 Christmas hampers delivered to local residents less fortunate than most.

Contributions are welcome from local residents, students and staff on any issues which bring the University and the local community closer together. Please bear in mind that the editor reserves the right to edit material submitted.

Items should be emailed to:

Sarah Gardner,
Community Relations Manager

s.gardner@reading.ac.uk

Or can be posted to:

Sarah Gardner
University of Reading
PO BOX 217
Reading
RG6 6AH